A BREAKAWAY group is driving ahead with plans for a lorry-based carnival parade despite being rebuffed by the current organisers.

A wave of support for the return of the lorries has seen former organisers offer their help, and campaigners say they have enough people for a team to take over the whole carnival if needed.

Current carnival committee chairman Sue Follan has rebuffed the offer of meeting the group - who are prepared to run the procession and leave the Weymouth Community Volunteers to organise the rest.

Under this offer, the volunteers would retain control of the Red Arrows and other attractions involved throughout carnival week but the procession would see a return to the traditional lorry-based floats.

Blondz owner Shaun Hennessy was left unfazed by the refusal of the committee to meet with him and other business people who offered to bring the lorries back.

He said: “I’ve spoken to a few people who used to be involved and they were interested as well.

“Without a shadow of a doubt there’s a whole team interested who are more than happy to assist.

“And the best thing would be for a meeting of everyone who’s interested to get together and then maybe approach the Weymouth Community Volunteers.

“If they take the attitude of ‘all or nothing’ we could make an official approach to them to run the whole thing.

“But this depends on what the Weymouth Community Volunteers want to do.”

Mr Hennessy said one of the reasons for bringing back lorries would be for more children to be involved again.

He said using motorised floats would see children’s playschools return to the parade as the route is too far for them to walk.

George Afedakis, owner of Greek restaurant Ta Dyo Adelphia, said he was disappointed by Mrs Follan’s refusal for a meeting and cited the results of the Dorset Echo poll.

He said: “It’s a shame because 96 per cent of the people say ‘yes’ to floats who’ve voted so far so I hope she changes her mind.

“We want to work together for the good of the town.”

Jan O’Brien, owner of the Party Shop in Weymouth, confirmed she is also looking to set up the meeting of people interested in helping to bring the lorries back.

She called for Mrs Follan to recognise public opinion and ‘stop burying her head in the sand’.

She said: “I think she is foolish to not listen to what’s going on or having a meeting.”

An insurance company has provided a quote for the lorry-based floats with a list of businesses announcing they are prepared to pay the premium.

The Echo is asking readers whether they want to see motorised floats back in the carnival.

Either cut out and return the coupon below or visit our website at dorsetecho.co.uk and take part in the online poll.